Quick Answer

The excess is the maximum amount you pay toward any single damage or theft claim — typically 800 to 2,000 euros depending on the car class and country. You can reduce it to zero by paying for Super CDW at the counter (expensive) or by buying a standalone excess-reimbursement policy before you travel (much cheaper for most renters).

Read the full guide: Car Rental Abroad: How to Rent a Car Without Getting Burned

How much deposit does a rental car require?

The deposit is a temporary pre-authorization hold on your credit card, typically around 200 to 500 US dollars for a standard car, though it can run higher for premium vehicles, debit cards, or younger drivers. No money is actually charged — the amount is just fenced off from your available credit and released a few business days after you return the car undamaged. Always use a credit card, not debit, so the hold does not tie up your real cash.

Can I take a rental car across a border in Europe?

Usually yes within the EU, but you must tell the rental company in advance and get written permission, because crossing a border undeclared voids your insurance and breakdown cover. Expect a cross-border fee of around 20 to 60 euros for the trip. One-way international drop-offs are far pricier and can exceed 500 euros, so a round trip that returns the car to its pickup point is almost always the cheaper option.

Renting for a specific trip? See what insurance a rental car in Iceland needs and whether you need a 4WD for the Ring Road , or browse the full Travel Answers hub for more quick answers.